Why did England colonise everything only to give it back?

Question

I cant be bothered to read up on it right now....want some quick answers ;)

Answer 1

WHERE TO BEGIN WITH SUCH A LONG BROAD QUESTION?
THE BRITISH WERE ABLE TO BECOME A MAJOR COLONY BUILDER DUE TO THE FACT THAT THEY HAD A SUPER NAVY AND SUITABLE ARMY TO DEAL WITH THEIR ENEMIES. THE EARLIEST ENGLISH SETTLERS WERE LONGING FOR A NEW START ELSEWHERE. REMEMBER ENGLAND WAS A LAND IN TURMOIL WITH THE CATHOLIC KINGS, WARS WITH SCOTLAND, INDUSTRY GROWTH, AND RELIGIOUS CHANGES GOING ON.
THE AMERICAN COLONIES WERE LOST BECAUSE THEY DECLARED THEIR INDEPENDENCE FROM THE MOTHER COUNTRY WHICH LEAD TO OUR UNITED STATES. ENGLAND COLONISED OTHER LANDS FOR THE REASONS MOST POWERS DID BACK THEN, LAND, POPULATION RELIEF, WEALTH, SPHERES OF INFLUENCE AND SO FORTH.
ENGLAND WAS MORE SUCCESSFUL DUE TO THE FACT THAT THEY WERE ABLE TO DEFEAT THIER RIVALS OVERSEAS, NAMELY FRANCE IN NORTH AMERICA AND INDIA. SPAIN WAS A WEAK EMPIRE, THE DUTCH AND PORTUGAL HAD OVERSEAS POSSESSIONS AS WELL, BUT NEVER LIKE THE BRITISH EMPIRE.
THE BRITISH EMPIRE WAS NOT AS ABUSIVE AS MOST EMPIRES WERE. THEY EVEN ABOLISHED SLAVERY IN THE EMPIRE BEFORE THE UNITED STATES HAD THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. BRITISH TROOPS AND SHIPS ENFORCED THE NO-SLAVERY LAW. HOWEVER, AN EMPIRE IS STILL AN EMPIRE IN CONTROL OF NATIVE PEOPLES WHO REALLY DO NOT WANT THEM THERE AND CONTROL MOST GOVERNING ASPECTS OF THEIR LAND.
CANANA WAS A FRENCH COLONIAL POSSESSION THAT ENGLAND ALLOWED TO BECOME INDEPENDENT ON IT'S OWN, AS WELL AS AUSTRALIA (WHICH WAS AT IT'S BEGINNINGS A PENAL COLONY), MOST NATIONS WHERE ENGLAND LEFT QUIETLY BECAME MEMBERS OF WHAT BRITAIN CAME TO CALL THE COMMONWEALTH.
THEN THERE WERE PLACES WERE ENGLAND WAD FORCED TO LEAVE, 2 FAMOUS EXAMPLES BEING EGYPT AND INDIA. EGYPT WAS IMPORTANT TO THE EMPIRE BECAUSE OF THE SUEZ CANEL WHICH LED TO THE JEWEL OF THE EMPIRE, INDIA. NATIONALISM IN EACH RESPECTIVE NATION FORCED BRITIAN TO LEAVE. OTHER COLONIES IN AFRICA, LIKE SOUTH AFRICA, RHODESIA, OR THE SUDAN WERE NOT WELL MANAGED.
THE ENGLISH MANAGEMENT OF THE MIDDLE EAST WAS ANOTHER BIG MESS LEFT BEHIND. THE STATE OF AFFAIRS IN PALESTINE IS STILL CONTINUING TO TROUBLE THE WORLD TODAY.
MONEY AFTER WAR WORLD 2 FORCED BRITAIN TO CUT BACK THE NAVY AND ARMY. EMPIRE WAS NOT SO POPULAR AFTER THE WAR SO THE EMPIRE OVER TIME BEGAN A SLOW WITHDRAWAL FROM THE COLONIES.SO THERE YOU HAVE SOME SMALL EXAMPLES OF WHY GREAT BRITAIN BECAME AND WAS AN EMPIRE.

Answer 2

The British Empire like all empires had to come to an end. Britain was the first industrialised nation and consequently had a head start when it came to carving up the world. This process became particularly virulent in the 19th century when other European powers along with Britain joined in what has become known as the scramble for Africa. Britains status as the worlds super power was already in decline at this time as states like Germany and the USA began to develop industries to rival Britains. Following the First World war Britains economy was never to return to its former heights and America was waiting in the wings.
After the second world war Britain was in hock to the United States. The US effectively took over the British Empire and since the end of WWII have managed it with British support (the 'special relationship'). In this way Britain has maintained its seat at the top table so to speak. In these days of Globalisation colonies are no longer run along the same lines as before - today we have institutions like the World Bank and so on to maintain the status quo - but look at how many British and American companies are still making profits from the sweat of the workers from developing countries and you will see that Imperialism still exists - in another guise.

Answer 3

England entered countries with backward economies. This attracted people who wanted to improve their lot. After improve their lot they wanted to take over. Eventually it became impractical or impossible to continue the rule and so they gave them back. Many of the countries have continued in the Commonwealth and have many of the privileges of English citizens, so in every case the ties have not been broken completely. History works this way, not just in the case of England. This is a very simplified explanation, but you didn't want to have to read up on it.

Answer 4

The time period in which England created most of its colonies is known as The Age of Imperialism...... and they were not the only European country to jump on the colony "bandwagon." Basically, colonies existed because of an idea known as mercantilism..... this idea suggests that colonies mainly exist to provide raw materials for the manufacturers of the mother country. England found what all other empires have found over the course of history...... ruling an empire is costly and difficult to manage...... hence all the aforementioned wars here. To England's credit, it provided most of its colonies with a measure of self-government.... a benefit that we, in America, continue to enjoy.

Answer 5

They did not give anything back: The Americans had to fight for it. Many died in during the revolutionary war. And if you are referring to Hong Kong, that was a war treaty and they were to revert it to China after a specific period of time.

You still need to do some reading if you want to have a good grade in this assignment. Also, it is a fascinating story. You may enjoy it. Give it a shot, darling.

Lourdes

Answer 6

British colonies served thier purpose at the time. When the colonies outgrew the mother country they started to become independant but stayed part of the British Commonwealth in most cases. It was the concept of responsible government first tryed in Canada that made it work all over the world.

Answer 7

England ( great country that i love ) , didn t colonise everything mate ! And there was a time b4 England , unfortunally i m 2 old 2 remember it ...

Answer 8

Change in morality, when it started it was acceptable to go round making empires, in the forties it was not.

Most of the empire was given back willingly, get your facts straight people. The countries that were part of the empire formed the commonwealth, a group of countries that are still friendly today. If we'd have been forced to give them back we wouldn't have that relationship with the commonwealth.

Answer 9

It's universally accepted the English ran out of baked beans and Marmite. This forced them to return home, only to find when they did come back the indigenous population had organised their own govermental structure. They lost billions of pounds in lost revenue but tucked into breakfast regardless of this minor set back.

Answer 10

English colonized everything due to greed for money, wealth (stolen), secure power.
England never gave up anything! Only by bloody revolutions regions got their freedom and Independence!
The Globe is full of examples!